Crawford, 38, and Murray, 22, are graduates of Rainer Beach High School in Seattle. A longtime enthusiastic mentor of younger players, Crawford is close to Murray's family and has been working with him since he was in the sixth grade.

Based on what he knows about Murray's character, Crawford said he has "zero doubt" his protégé will recover fully from the surgery he had earlier this month to repair the anterior cruciate ligament he tore in his right knee Oct. 7 against Houston.

The Spurs expected Murray to come into his own this season at point guard after taking over for Tony Parker last January. Murray finished his second season averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals while earning Second-Team NBA All-Defense honors.

"It's only going to drive him," Crawford set of the setback. "He's somebody who is already driven, so it's going to even create a bigger monster. I have no doubt that he will be a star. His work ethic. His love for the game. He's a student of the game, how driven he is – he will be a star, no doubt."